I’ve loved cars my whole life, and my dream is to one day have owned a diverse selection like many of our other authors. However, as someone just shy of 22 years of age, my ownership of cars has been limited to only two. I wrote about my first car, a 2004 Toyota Highlander, a while back, and have been meaning to do a detailed review of my current car, my 2010 Acura TSX V6. After two and a half years of ownership, I think it’s safe to say that I have a clear verdict on the Acura.

The Highlander was a great car. It may not have been exciting, but for the nine years it was in my family, it fulfilled all our needs with a dose of luxury and a good reliability record. Besides some issues with the sound system early on that were ultimately resolved, for the most part anything that went wrong was largely routine for a car with its age and mileage.

In August of 2011, my mom and I moved about 45 minutes away from our old town, and two weeks later I left for my freshman year of college at the University of Connecticut. Still working in our old town, my mom switched off between her 2007 BMW X3 and the Highlander for her daily commute, so as to not put too many miles on her BMW. She often did the same on the weekends when I’d come home, as the round trip to Storrs, CT and back was about four hours. From then until I finished my freshman year in May and she retired in June 2012, about 30,000 miles were put on each car.

(What our current garage looks like)

I was never happy at UConn, and after sticking it out for a year, transferred to a school closer to home and in the city. Upon being accepted to Suffolk University in Boston, I received an academic scholarship that covered half of my tuition each semester. This translated to saving upwards of $20,000 each year over UConn, meaning there would be more than enough to cover my remaining six semesters (which I’m happy to say only needed to be five) in my college fund account that Mom had been putting money into since my infancy.

With me back at home, commuting to school and my job, my mom said she would feel better with me driving a newer, lower mileage car. Of course, I had no objections. I had saved up a little money working that summer and my mom offered to give me a very generous down payment. Combined with the trade-in on the Highlander, we set a strict budget. As part of the agreement, if I chose a used car, it could not be older than three years old or have more than 50,000 miles on the odometer.

I began looking at the pre-owned inventory of the several large dealer networks in eastern Massachusetts. I didn’t really know what I wanted, so I kept an open mind about body style and brand. Through all this, there was one car that stuck out in my mind: the Volkswagen CC. In its favor were a semi-luxurious interior, very sexy coupe-like styling which I loved, and an image that was more premium than your average Toyota’s without being as brash as a BMW’s.

I took a test-drive in a 2.0T 2010 model, and although I liked the way it drove and the pleasant hum of its turbo, there were several demerits. Upon reading into it more, I discovered that CCs were very prone to costly mechanical issues, even in their first couple of years. There was also another unfortunate fact that stood in my way. The overwhelming majority of pre-owned CCs (which weren’t that many) were all silver with black interiors–the only color combination I refused to get in my new car.

Among other cars I was leaning towards were the Lexus IS, Acura TL, Volvo S60, and Saab 9-5. Unfortunately, any newer models of these cars with low mileage were out of my price range. Still, though, there was something about Acura I really liked. It offered a lot of car for the money, and I liked its interior the best. Of course I thought about the slightly smaller and less expensive TSX, as it boasted a similar interior and I actually preferred its tamer exterior styling. However the power produced by its 2.4L inline-4 was a big turn off for me, and many reviews I read backed this perception. I’d say about 50% of my driveway is highway driving, and the rest is largely on winding back roads where I sometimes drive close to typical interstate speed limits.

Then by chance, while on break at work one day, I came across a car that caught my attention. It was a 2010 TSX with a V6! I hadn’t followed the TSX much since its second generation introduction in 2009 and had forgotten that beginning in 2010 you could get it with the same 3.5L V6 that was in front-wheel drive versions of the TL.

This particular TSX was a Grigio Metallic over taupe leather 2010 model coming off of a lease with just under 40,000 miles on it. It was also wearing the same set of 18-inch split 5-spoke alloys that caught my eye on a TSX (that must have been a V6) I saw out on the road a few months back.

I came across the listing on a Sunday, and emailed the dealer, scheduling a test drive for Friday. Driving out to Prime Acura in Walpole with my mom was an exciting but bittersweet moment. Although I was technically still “looking” at this car, I knew that my relationship with my Highlander, the car that had been a huge part of my life for almost a decade was nearing its end.

When we arrived at the dealer, the gray TSX V6 was already parked right out front waiting. Needless to say, the test drive won me over. The minute I got behind the wheel, something just felt right. Its thick rimmed leather wrapped steering wheel, heavily bolstered driver’s seat with Acura’s signature “pointy shoulders,” and cockpit-style dash gave me the aura of a driver’s car that I was looking for.

I purposely took a detour during the test drive, extending it so I could really get a true feel of how this car handled on a variety of road surfaces. It was easily the most exciting test drive I’ve ever taken. This included exiting the highway from 80 mph, using no brake on the 270º offramp at the salesman’s order. This was something I never would have done without an Acura expert’s assurance, but it was a good way to demonstrate this car’s remarkable poise when pushed to its limits.

I liked the styling, I liked the interior, I liked the level of equipment, and now I loved how this car drove. And just like that my car search was over. We put a $500 deposit down to hold the car until Monday, so we could get a bank check for the downpayment, and get the insurance all straightened out. My mom and I then went for lunch at Legal C Bar in Dedham, which has become a tradition whenever one of us gets a new car.

(Taking delivery of my TSX, September 2012)

We returned Monday morning to work out the final details. Due to her better credit score (mine was virtually nonexistent at that point), we decided to finance the remaining portion in my mom’s name. For the time being, it also makes insurance rates lower. After giving us the “internet price”, which I think is a load of B.S., the dealer would not budge on the price any more. My mom and I saw right through the weak stereotypical one-liners the salesman and finance guy were throwing at us, but ultimately there was no more haggling that could be done. The final sales price was pretty much in line with what CPO 4-cylinder TSXs were going for anyway. After a few stressful hours, the TSX was mine. At least they put a bow on it for me.

I was overjoyed to own this car then, and the feeling hasn’t gone away two and a half years later. This car, whom I’ve affectionally named “Gisele,” after Patriot’s QB Tom Brady’s wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, has proved to be a great fit for me. I like the exclusivity that comes with owning a low production model. Although I have no definitive numbers, TSX V6 production can’t have been more than ten percent of overall TSX production. I’ll also be totally honest when I say that I appreciate the added hedonic value that comes with owning a car from a luxury make, even if this car is sold as a regular Honda elsewhere.

One of the things about Acura is that they give you a far greater amount of standard equipment, for considerably less money, than makes like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, and Volvo. Mine lacks the Technology Package, which includes navigation, back-up camera, and GPS climate control, but other than that, the TSX is pretty much loaded for its time. After having them in my Highlander, heated leather seats were a must on my list. These standard perforated leather seats offer a nice balance between softness and support, and I should add that I found the leather more supple than that in the X3. The heavy bolstering is not only attractive, but it comes in handy on those twisty back roads. The excellent seat heaters are something I find myself using at least 50 percent of the year–it’s nice being toasty.

It’s been really easy for me to find a comfortable seating position. I’ve driven late-model 3-Series and C-Classes, and have not had the same luck. Even adjusting the seat height, I still feel like I’m sitting on the floor in those cars. The TSX’s front-wheel drive layout also benefits in noticeably better front leg room than these two cars. Rear visibility is excellent, with minimal blind spots. The chrome door handles also come in handy, as they stand out well in my rear view mirror sight lines. A feature I’ve come to appreciate is that the passenger’s side mirror tilts downward when you shift into reverse, for improved visibility when backing up.

Among other features I’ve come to love is the Bluetooth audio and phone. I simply get in the car with my iPhone, and my own music starts playing through the speakers. Considering how much I hate the regular radio, with its endless commercials and repeat of the same old music, I’m thankful for this feature every day. Although I don’t talk on the phone much, using Bluetooth is safer and a lot more convenient than holding a phone up to my ear.

(Providing illumination for my ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, August 2014)

Unlike some luxury makes who still charge you extra for projector-beam xenon HID headlights, Acura was making them standard fare back in 2010. They provide excellent nighttime illumination, and look pretty classy too.

When I was a kid, I used to dream of becoming a car designer. Although I’ve decided to pursue other career paths (several at the moment), car design and styling are still a huge source of interest for me, and a major attribute in determining whether I like a car or not. Although I wouldn’t describe the TSX’s design as in-your-face aggressive, it exhibits a number of styling elements characteristic of sports sedans, such as long hood, fast roofline, flared wheel arches, and a sharp character line.

Its upscale look is enhanced by tasteful chrome window surrounds and elegantly styled chrome door handles. Along with the aforementioned 18-inch wheels, probably among my favorite wheel designs ever, they make for a really dynamic silhouette. The side profile view is definitely my favorite to look at. I could just gaze at it for hours, still in disbelief that I own a car this beautiful.

Likewise, the interior is aesthetically pleasing. Almost a decade ago, before this car came out, I actually sketched an interior design similar to this for my own fictitious luxury car. I named my center stack design “arching podium,” and I think it’s a fitting name for the TSX’s. It’s a very eye-catching design that seems to be jumping forward. The “Titan Silver” faux metal trim adds a techy vibe, although I wouldn’t be opposed to some attractive woodgrain accents.

I couldn’t talk about the styling of this car without mentioning the grille. Acura’s “Power Plenum” grille, which was introduced in 2009, has been the source of much controversy. While I too was not a fan when it first came out, I’ve grown to like it as a bold and daring design.

(Trunk space is usually way more than I need, but it’s handy to have in situations, such as weekend trips to the Cape with some buddies of mine)

Another added benefit of owning a Honda-built product is the stellar reliability. In my two and a half years of ownership, nothing has gone wrong, and the only money I’ve had to put into it has come in the form of basic maintenance and a new set of tires around 47,000 miles. I had to downgrade to Goodyears from the original Michelins, which were simply too expensive for my budget, but I haven’t really noticed much of a difference.

As far as handling is concerned, the TSX V6 is a joy to drive. The V6’s 280 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque can be felt right away in quick acceleration and effortless pickup to over 80 on the highway. Due to its front-wheel drive and 62/38 weight distribution, the car exhibits some expected light front tire squeal on hard acceleration in first gear, but luckily, torque steer is barely detectable in my TSX, something one would expect much more of in a front-wheel driver. Don’t get me wrong, Acura’s excellent Super-Handling all-wheel drive would be a welcomed addition. But for my daily driving, even if I like to toss it around a bit, front-wheel drive is perfectly competent.

Where my car really shines is on twisty back roads. Steering has a tight feel and the car eats up the turns in the roads. Acura retuned the suspension, electric power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes in the six-cylinder to better suit the larger engine’s manners. The suspension certainly is on the firm side, and along with the larger 18-inch wheels, it did take some getting used to from the soft Highlander. Although it’s still a smooth, comfortable ride, I do live in fear of one day hitting a pot hole too hard and getting a flat and damaged rim.

In today’s world of 8-,9-,10-, and 87-speed transmissions, a 5-speed automatic may sound outdated, but it’s a truly a great transmission, one that even surprised me. It always exhibits crisp, predictable shifts, without the gear hunting of those newer gearboxes. The transmission finds its fifth overdrive gear at about 38 mph, which I call its “sweet spot,” and then its smooth cruising from there. Although I seldom use it, shifting past drive into sport mode and using the paddle shifters does make for a more engaging driving experience, and quicker starts when there’s open road ahead.

The highway is probably where the V6 exhibits the most improvement over the 4-cylinder. Merging into 70 mph traffic at full throttle is seamless, as is passing. The car feels confident at 90, and darts in and out of traffic with ease. Braking is excellent, with quick, smooth stops.

(A recent photo, with my new “Acura Legend” license plate frame)

If I had any complaints about this car, one would be that it isn’t the best-handling car in the snow. Driving in the snow is no cake walk in any car, but the heavily front-biased TSX is especially prone to fishtailing during cornering on poorly plowed roads. Again, this would be an area where SH-AWD would make a difference. That said, when there’s a layer of slick stuff between the road and your tires, four-wheel drive won’t help you that much. I hate driving in the snow period–it doesn’t matter the car. It’s just a price I pay for living in a true four-season climate.

My biggest complaint about my Acura is that there’s no warning light for low washer fluid. Especially when the snow’s melting, and when the pollen comes out in the spring, constant windshield washing is a must and I’ve found myself bone dry in these conditions on more than one occasion. That being said, if this is my biggest complaint so far, it’s safe to say I made the right choice.

If there is one thing I can say about this car, it is that my TSX is well-rounded. Other cars may do certain things better, and there’s no doubt there are more expensive cars that can do everything better. However, in my experience, I have yet to encounter a car that strikes such a favorable balance in every aspect. I love my Acura, and I hope to enjoy it for a long time.

Great write-up – I’ve always heard good things about Acuras. A friend of mine bought an older Acura coupe last year (a 2001 TSX, if I remember correctly) with over 200,000 km on the clock but in good shape. Other than new tires and brakes (needed for the safety check) he’s had no problems with it and he’s quite satisfied. I think you’ll have a long and happy relationship with your TSX, and to be honest I’m somewhat envious. I like to have a little fun behind the wheel, and the great driving qualities of a TSX combined with great reliability makes for an all-around awesome package.

Yeah it’s truly all I could ask for in a daily driver. Comfortable, entertaining to drive, acceptable fuel economy, and reliability. I get the oil changed every 3 months/3,000 miles and the only other money I’ve had to put into it is a set of new tires and a new cabin filter – both routine parts.

It’s just something that keeps me at peace of mind and it’s not a major expense (less than filling up my gas tank from 1/4 full). FWIW I don’t use the more expensive synthetic oil, which also lasts longer.

Brendan, about those (very) frequent oil changes. I wonder if that’s the automaker’s instruction -I doubt that- or some force of habit.

Every 15,000 km (9,375 miles) or once a year is what Toyota -the brand I drive- recommends. In my neck of the woods that is, both for gasoline and diesel engines. And most brands go beyond that yearly mileage.

So I wonder what the Toyota (or other brands) manuals say in North America.

Toyota, and most other makers, have to put oil change monitors in their cars for the NA market. The reason is many car owners here were used to driving big ‘ole V-8’s, where you could actually get buy changing oil like every two years. When all aluminum engines, and the higher temperatures at which they run, were introduced, sludging up was a problem. While not confined only to Toyota (MB and Audi had similar problems among others), this ruined many engines. Now they tend to be extremely conservative regarding oil change intervals.

I do it twice a year, mainly out of habit. The car goes to a Honda dealer, which performs a complete inspection each time. That way I can keep track of brakes, exhaust, suspension, etc, since I am bit of a safety fanatic. I will never take my cars to Mr Lube for this reason.

Generally, in the U.S., the manual will recommend every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, depending on the car and brand.

The trick is that the book also says these are the recommended intervals for “normal driving.” The part they don’t spell out unless you read closely is that they recommend about half the normal interval in “severe conditions,” and the definition of severe conditions includes stop-and-go-traffic, short trips, and extremely high or low temperatures. For many Americans, that is kind of the textbook definition of normal driving — short errands, commuting in traffic, living in places that are ridiculously hot or ridiculously cold about two-thirds of the year.

So, the logic of the 3,000-mile interval goes like this: If the normal recommended interval is 7,500 miles and the severe duty recommendation recommends half that, that’s 3,750 miles. If you drive 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year (a pretty typical median for a lot of Americans), that’s 1,000 to 1,250 miles a month, so you get 3,000 to 3,750 miles every three months or so, which is a decent ballpark for the oil change interval.

It would make more sense for manufacturers to calculate their “normal” maintenance intervals based on the average person’s real driving habits, but automakers don’t want to do that because the cost of routine maintenance goes into consumer cost-of-ownership calculations, so if they say in writing that you should change the oil ever three months, it will hurt them in cost rankings.

Again, it really does depend on how you drive. If you do 1,200 miles a month, but most of it is in extended highway cruising that lets the engine get thoroughly warmed up each trip and doesn’t involve a lot of stop-and-go slog, every six months is probably perfectly fine, particularly with synthetic. If you live in the city, have a brutal commute, and then have to make a lot of short-hop deliveries most days, that’s pretty severe duty and I would think more frequent oil changes would be worthwhile insurance.

I agree. Winter driving consists of more frequent idling ( warm up, or simply start the engine and get the snow off ) and more stop and go ( someone’s SUV tips off the road again and there is a cop in the middle of the road ) and here in Michigan it lasts from late November to early April. While in the summertime, it’s generally mild, but there are always few days with extreme hot ( 90+ ) maybe fells in the category.

For rest of the states, it’s easier to get less snowy days and more extreme hot days comparing to Michigan. We don’t have too many chances for “normal driving” after all!

Maybe the old 3000 miles is true ( even though I feel I can stretch to 3500-4500 for driving 450 miles on interstate additionally every week, as I put miles quite faster this way ) 7500 is a far reach for me. Twice a year? That’s what guys here do for the ’30s Chevy.

I have a hard time warming to these because I really liked the preceding TSX, which I thought was a rare late-model car that actually looked pretty good. The new one is bigger (not a good thing to me) and notably gaudier (ditto). A previous-generation TSX manual would have been tempting if I’d had the money, and the fact that the 2.4-liter four has — glory be — chain-driven rather than belt-driven cams was an added bonus.

The main deterrents to me, aside from money I don’t have, are the scarcity of manual transmissions even on the older generation (I’m still leery of the Honda automatic) and Honda’s irritating insistence on forcing you to buy a sunroof with the desirable trim levels. I haaaaate their sunroof design and would really rather have the stiffer shell, greater headroom, and better weather-sealing that comes with a solid roof. (It sounds silly, but when I bought my last car, I told the salesman that I wouldn’t take a moonroof-equipped car even if they gave me the moonroof for free.)

Good choice. Glad to see there’s someone else who like to push their car; I have only a lowly Civic, but its agility is not just for fun; Tucson is littered with potholes which I often get late notice about, and a week ago it saved me from a truck’s surprise lane-change as well. As MG used to say, “Safety Fast.”

Last time I shopped Acura for myself was ca. 1987; the twincam Integra was great, but the Accord won, as torque trumped horsepower. We checked out the ILX for my sister-in-law, but it didn’t fit the bill.

Congratulations on your new ride, Brendan. Great write up, too. If I might make a suggestion as a veteran of forty northern New England winters. The performance of this car in snow would improve drastically if you invest in a set of four real snow tires (M+S) rather than all-seasons. I swear by Bridgestone Blizzaks. They’re great tires and usually represent a considerable cost saving over the equivalent Michelins or Nokians.

The car will be much more sure footed in the slippery stuff and they might save you from putting a wrinkle in that shiny sheet metal out on Rt. 128 some day.

Agreed!!! As a former New Hampshirite, I found that proper snow tires made a much bigger difference than the drive wheels. I’ve gotten along just fine even in a w124 Mercedes (rwd, no traction control, no LSD) with good snow tires. Contrarily, our old Acura RL on all-season tires spun around (nearly into a ditch) on I-89 in light snow.

The other thing I’ve never done but have heard people recommend: Get a set of cheap steel wheels for your car, put snow tires on those, and switch to the steel wheels for the winter. This presupposes you have some way to properly store the snow tires in the off season (I’m told some dealers and perhaps some tire stores will do this, presumably for a fee), but that might be cheaper than having to replace snow tires a lot and it would also reduce the risk of banging up your nice alloys in the winter. Worth looking into.

bowman

Posted February 25, 2015 at 6:02 PM

Snow tires also function better on small light wheels. get 16″ steelies.

The best value in winter tires are the Continental ExtremeWinter Contact. Check out the TireRack’s tests. The beat the Blizzaks and Michelins in many categories match them in others. They are cheaper than the Michelins and come out of the box round and stay that way unlike the Bridgestones.

You must have gotten a bad set, Eric. I’ve had three sets of Blizzaks over 10+ winters with never a hint of a problem. I’ve also gotten great performance out of my Bridgestone Potenza summer tires, which I can no longer get in my size, unfortunately.

Snow tires. That is what i wanted to say as well. With the common bolt pattern of your acura a set of 17″ steel wheels with a set of used garrits or hakkapellita or whatever you choose should be an easy thing to find on your local craigslist. I picked up four 205/55 16 garrit g02’s with 75% of their tread remaining (checked with my trusty but sadly burned up tire gauge. Along with more than 300k in tools) for $150 bones.

Very nice, Brendan! I myself was quite surprised when I looked at Acura earlier this year, they had been off my radar for some time. Your car seems like the perfect thing for you, and it’s nice to see someone making the switch from SUV to car again! I really like how Acura seems to do the anti-cladding in the engine bay – they cover up everything EXCEPT the engine, everyone else seems to do it the other way, a subtle reminder that Honda Motor Co does put an emphasis on its engines. Enjoy it (and at 2.5 years in, it seems you are), it’ll give you many more years of fun and practicality!

Thanks Jim! Yeah I’m really happy switching from an SUV to a sedan. On occasion, I do miss the ride height and sense of empowerment that comes with it, but I like how a sedan feels driving way better. I remember how pleased I was when I first checked under the hood. Everything around it is clean and tidy with the covering, and it’s like the engine is on display, front and center. Oddly enough, the 4-cylinder TSX doesn’t have any of the cladding around the perimeter of the engine bay.

And I feel old, very very old when I read this.
I have no idea at all what to think of a brand like Acura , ok I still call Nissans Datsuns, I do know what Lancia is and who Vincenzo Lancia was, my brother was almost born in a Panhard Z 12, all I can think of is that car looks a lot like a Honda and Honda’s I do know and they are very much ok.
And I am still mad that GM skipped Oldsmobile.
Just for the record !

Same thing goes for this Infinity car, these are sold in Europe now but I do not have a clue why I should ever buy one, I mean I own a Subaru Impreza, one of those very wild ones, Subaru have a story I can understand, all wheel drive, 4 cylinder boxers, world rally champions and so on, but all those modern fency brands, really not a single clue, but a nice car though I must say.
From a guy who loves Oldsmobile.
And Buick Riviera”s

I still feel sad when the decision came to kill Lancia. Same thing if Citroen goes under as well. I dreamt of owning a Lancia, now I can only get used ones – and I still need to import them.
I used to think killing Olds was OK, but after several reflections, now I’m not happy at all with that decision.
Infiniti is not unique enough in Europe – that’s where the problem is. What’s the difference between that and a high end Nissan and an Acura and a Honda and a Lexus and a high end Toyota (considering this comment coming from a Toyota Slave – get it?) It’s like a brand being squeezed in just because the brand exist.

Excellent write-up! Between your post and Paul N’s post on the excellent TSX Wagon, I’m beginning to get the shakes to pick up one of these. And congrats on the scholarship and wise college transfer decision. I did something similar and never regretted it, though be sure your Mom gets a mother’s day card every year for helping you avoid student loans 🙂

Re: snow, I’m a huge proponent of winter tires. Find a pair of -1 or -2 rims and get some used rims that will fit with a set of decent winter tires. You get all the benefits and then some of AWD with none of the corresponding decrease in fuel economy or increase in maintenance.

Yeah the V6’s and wagons are hard to come by, but there are plenty of pre-owned TSX 4-cylinder sedans out there, as many originally were leases like mine. It really blew my expectations, and it’s proven to be a fun daily driver.

Believe me, I thank my mom a lot. She’s done way more for me in my life than what a mother is expected to do and continues to be the greatest influence in my life. I’m currently pursuing several different career paths, and hopefully in the next few years if I get a steady real job, I’d one day like to repay her in a big way.

And thanks for the snow tire tip. I think I will seriously look into it for next winter.

AWD/4WD has a pesky little problem that most AWD/4WD proponents seem to forget – it does diddly squat for braking or cornering traction. Acceleration traction it excels at, whether from a stop or rolling, which can give one a false sense of confidence about their car’s capabilities and put them into an even worse situation than those in cars that constantly remind them conditions are treacherous(2WD).

An enjoyable read, Brendan. As much as people debate today whether Honda still has it, they continue to exhibit a “feel” or a “personality” that is so much more engaging than so many others (Toyota comes to mind). As a longtime Honda fan, I get what appeals to you about this car. I was always put off by the “can opener” front end styling, but I am coming around on it, and find your car quite attractive.

I have known a few people with TLs, but have no TSX experience. Has Honda made any strides in the road noise that has always been a Honda thing? Even if not, it is a small tradeoff that I have always willingly made for the all-around driving experience that Honda has generally provided.

Was 2010 the year that Honda finally got the transmissions behind the V6s right? I think I remember that this was the year they finally put the beefed up unit from the Ridgeline into other vehicles, but would still be tempted to be extra-scrupulous on your fluid changes.

Hi JP, I used to think all Hondas have pretty high road noise, but I believe they are improving in the latest generation of cars. The TSX is on par to an Accord in terms of noise. I took a ride on a manual version of this generation and that’s my impression (in terms of noise).

That’s how I’ve always viewed Honda, as having a bit more personality than other Asian brands, and every modern Honda I’ve driven or ridden in seems to still confirm this. They’re certainly no Porsche, but they seem to exhibit a less appliance-like feel than comparable Toyotas and similar brands.

I will say that road and wind noise can be a bit high for my liking when on the highway, but granted, not many sub-$40,000 5-year old cars are silent at 80mph. It seems Acura has made advancements in this with the new TLX, with triple-sealed doors, hydraulic engine mounts, and “active sound control”, whatever that is.

The “active sound control” is probably doing the same thing as a noise cancelling microphone: using an out of phase signal to cancel ambient noise. The way I would expect it to be used in a car is to have a microphone in the passenger compartment to pick up ambient noise. The electronics then reverse the phase….imagine the sound represented as a sine wave. When the mike picks up ambient sound at the peak of the wave, let’s call that +1, the electronics reverse the phase and send sound out the stereo speakers at the bottom of the sine wave, let’s call that -1. When the ambient +1 signal and the -1 signal from the speakers reach your ear, they cancel eachother out and you hear nothing.

There is a buddy here driving the same model, in black with four cylinders. Pot hole is quite an issue since he got one tire&rim replaced for that ( my LeSabre got two tires with bubbles for that also. Steel rims could be better ) and driving in Michigan ( namely, Oakland county ) returns him $200 premium of liability insurance every month. Full coverage would rock up to $500 range/mo for his car ( making it less appealing to have a late model car. Considering the rate of accident, sigh* ) and that’s one of the reason I stick with senior people brand. Living somewhere else solves two big problems here people like you and me driving: insurance and road salt. Excessive road salt accumulates around the moonroof frame, eroding it fast and making it hard to close ( his TSX is even ’11) It’s very fortunate to live in an environment like where you are to own a car.

Living somewhere else solves two big problems here people like you and me driving: insurance and road salt.

Of course, Michigan has it’s notorious “no fault” insurance system that makes premiums here some of the highest in the nation. A recent article in the news gave one zip code in Detroit as having the highest insurance rates in the country.

Another factor is the particular model of car. Before buying the Jetta, I considered a TSX wagon, and have read this, and Paul’s article about his TSX wagon with great interest. I found that insuring a TSX wagon would cost me something like $200 more per year than the Jetta, all other things being equal.

And also, because of the salt, I keep sniffing around Autotrader for a potential winter beater to keep the salt off the Jetta. Running a beater would cost me about $300 extra/yr just for registration and minimal insurance.

Automobile insurance can’t get worse beyond Michigan. Highest premium and the least coverage ( when insurance company delays the payout and stuffs with reasons like investigations. It’s no fault anyway, the responsible party usually gets away with it unless someone is killed or seriously injured. When someone is killed, it’s far too gone. )

It’s not easy to run a beater, considering the reliability. It’s even harder when I drive 450 miles every week on interstate, usually out of the reach of ordinary beaters. ( and keep 26+mpg to be cost effective) Even not a beater, that’s a lot for a 20yo car. ( LeSabre in winter, Mark VIII in summer, I think that’s where it can stretch beyond B-Body, Ford Panther, W-Body, G-Body, lucky Taurus and derivatives among older sedan/coupes. Chrysler M-Body is eliminated for the vague steering on hwy )

Insurance limits my choice of cars also, as it’s far cheaper to run 3 cars with value combined at $7000 with seasonal full coverage than a $7000 car with full coverage ( unless a senior brand. And full coverage is essential considering how people drive here ) But with three cars, it’s easier to make the best use of the advantages of each one.

Congrats on the scholarship–not having to deal with student loans is huge. Lucky enough to know that from experience. And it certainly has let you enjoy a very nice car at a comparatively young age! As has already been commented here, between your article and Paul’s on his TSX purchase, these have moved onto my radar in a big way. My next car will be a wagon, and though they’re scarce, the TSX wagon is looking mighty appealing right now (depending on budget of course). And that’s a pretty stout V6 – 280 HP is quite a nice power figure! I like that the grille on these is a little more subtle than that fitted to the TL, though it still reminds me of a punch-type can opener. And the rest of the styling is quite pleasant and that’s a fantastic interior. Hope you can enjoy this car for a long time to come!

One of the reasons (the main reason?) for the low sales is the cost of this was similar to the TL.

I never understood the logic of a V6 TSX. They already made a good V6 model – the TL. And to fit the V6 into the TSX, they had to make it bigger spoiling the charm of the original 1G TSX. Never mind the chassis compromises you have to make to accommodate both an I4 and V6.

And Acura has essentially admitted the mistake with the new single model TLX replacing the TSX and TL.

I agree with the first point, but the second point is really a result of something unrelated. The TSX was based on the European Accord while the TL was based on the North American Accord. Since the market in Europe for D-segment sedans is small and shrinking and the market for Japanese cars in that segment is practically nil, there’s no longer a business case for building a separate Accord for that market. The Accord now sells poorly in Japan (and only as a hybrid), so there’s not a separate JDM Accord platform either.

That means there are no longer separate platforms available to differentiate those cars unless Honda wants to invest in something bespoke, which, given Acura sales, I’m assuming they don’t. Hence, two previously separate models are replaced with one, more closely related to the sole remaining Accord.

Pure Vanilla with a beak nose…. Good car? …probably. Great car, the kind that instills a passion to drive it , to dream about it? I’m guessing no , not really. IT’s no doubt a good bet if you want Toyota reliability, but not a Toyota. I guess Acura could use any form of good press these days , their sales have tanked, with only their SUV’s leaving the sales lot. IT’s generally held that Acura’s are decent cars , just over priced and goofy looking. Any used Acura should be a good buy as demand for used Acuras of this type is not strong at all.

Where are you getting your information Bill? As an Acura salesperson, I can tell you your information is not correct. On the contrary, our new TLX is selling great and we cannot keep used Acuras on the lot, especially used TSX’s like Brendan’s car. If you want Toyota reliability but not a Toyota then you buy a Honda. Acura is the luxury division of Honda, just as Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota. How can you comment on his vehicle – have you even driven one before?

Clearly , you have drank the Honda Kool-Aid Tom. If indeed you are a salesman for Acura I can see your dilemma. People will believe what they want to believe to survive. I’ve witnessed Acura dealer closings for poor sales and a general lowering of the bar with all Honda products , along with Hondas inability to admit to styling errors and building vehicles that nobody wants or understands (RLX comes to mind)
Understand please, Honda has squandered many millions of dollars on the HondaJet , a product that over ten years has generated nothing toward the bottom line. That money , had to come from somewhere, and you see it in all current Honda products. Honda’s line up isn’t what it used to be, and Acura reflects this more than any other Division.

Wow, Bill you are a Honda hater I guess……that’s ok, everyone is entitled to their opinion…..

orangechallenger

Posted February 25, 2015 at 2:11 PM

It’s not easy to find the balance between cost effective and exclusiveness. ’88-94 Continental is a formal and stretched Taurus, but no one would mistake it as a Taurus, and that’s how it should work. ( same for ’83-87 Continental ) However it’s not quite easy to tell a ’07-’12 MKZ from a Fusion ( especially from a distance, or in a snowy day ) and that’s where it fails. Not helped by non-exclusive engine or feature ( but it’s quite a good upgrade from Fusion as a used car with minimum extra premium, plus the nice interior ) Lexus is having the success on ES like how Lincoln had on Continental in late ’80s, but they need to keep a tight eye on where they go next. The mistake of Ford Granada ultra can catch any company off the guard.

Infiniti realized the problem earlier, but they went too far. Cost of ownership is quite higher because of the exclusiveness ( even if counting on sharing anything with 350/370Z )

It’s very different region to region. Honda is more popular in Ohio ( where they have a plant ) and coast areas, while it’s not popular in Michigan ( especially not popular in countryside. I had a hard time explaining Acura to grumpy old men ) or truck dependent region. It’s very different from city to countryside, as TSX and smaller luxury cars alike are more likely to be popular in crowded areas ( where people have hard time moving a Plymouth Fury ) but less popular where larger sedans are popular ( where consists of a big crowd of Impala, LeSabre, LaCrosse, Crown Victoria and Chrysler 300 )

But Acura is too close to Honda, obviously. Lincoln is too close to Ford ( especially older MKZ parked next to Fusion, some dealers keep them apart ) Acura ILX is what could be if they made a Mercury Topaz a Lincoln, or Acura is more of Mercury than Lincoln to Honda. Nowadays they are making Lincoln Mercury anyway.

Tom C

Posted February 25, 2015 at 1:36 PM

And Lexus isn’t too close to Toyota? Audi not too close to Volkswagen? Infiniti not too close to Nissan? Give me a break, please!

Yup, Honda is toast. I mean, there is only one market in the world, America. That Honda sells loads of cars in developing markets is immaterial, as is their record Y600,000,000,000 2014 after tax profit. Their gross income increased 20% in 2014. Honda is seeing record sales in India, China and Indonesia, but that doesn’t matter. Only America matters, where the Accord and Civic are selling extremely well, which must be drinking Kool-aid. My Honda cars have all been excellent, and I love the one I have now, but it is all just Kool-aid. Those millions of buyers each year are stoned, man! The only reason anyone doesn’t buy American (whatever that means now) is the fluoride added to the water.

And all squandered on the Honda Jet, apparently. I mean, they have really learned nothing from an advanced engineering exercise, right? None of that technology can find its way into other Honda products, right?

Tom C

Posted February 26, 2015 at 5:33 AM

Yes, my friend, Honda is toast and well, you know the rest….and I am a delusional Acura salesman…..

Great write-up, Brendan! I’ve always loved the 2nd gen TSX and especially the V6 models. Those wheels are the best. Looks like you’ve had some great adventures with your car over the last couple of years. I got a kick out of the fact that you’re rocking a “LEGEND” license plate frame. Nice 😉

Thanks I’m glad you noticed that. It was a good eBay purchase for $12. Down the line I might look into buying a different design set of OEM Acura wheels to switch off with. I’m not sure if they’d fit, but I do like several of the ’07-’13 MDX designs

Hey Brendan, that is one hot TSX! I am an Acura salesman and I have yet to see a V-6 TSX on our lot, so I know your car is extremely rare. Those wheels are awesome!! I am so glad that you described your ownership of your TSX in detail. If someone hasn’t owned an Acura product, they will never understand how they make the driver feel. They are the perfect balance of sportiness, comfort, reliability, luxury and overall driver satisfaction. Plus they look great, too! It’s true, no car is perfect, but I am a firm believer that your TSX comes damn near close! With the V-6 engine, it must be a total rocket. I’m hoping we get one in trade soon so I can experience it. My service reps always brag that the TSX is one of the most reliable and bullet-proof cars ever made. They hardly ever see them come in for any type of failures, mostly oil changes and such. Could it be the fact they were all built in Japan?

As far as the snow is concerned, the TSX is known to be a somewhat sloppy performer in the wet stuff. Many of my customers have put on snow tires and told me that it made a world of difference. I think you would be pleasantly surprised if you threw a set of Blizzaks on your TSX. Probably worth every penny, especially after this horrible New England winter! (I live in Rhode Island so I feel your pain in neighboring Massachusetts). If you’re ever in the Warwick, RI area stop by Acura of Warwick so we can see your car in person! Enjoy!

Thanks Tom! The TSX V6 has been nothing but a pleasure to own so far, and I’m likely staying with Acura for my next car down the line in a few years.

Warwick is less than an hour from where I live, so maybe for my next oil change in the spring (just got one last week) I’ll take it to you guys. I’ve also been meaning to test drive the TLX to compare the 4-cylinder and V6 SH-AWD.

Nice write-up Brendan. Having just driven our TSX Sportwagon 545 miles on I-5, which includes plenty of mountains, in a very effortless 7.5 hours with one short pit stop, I am reminded again how nice this car is to drive. It was a pleasure, and it averaged right about 30 mpg in the process (it has the four, not the V6). The seats are very comfortable, and the ride is just the right balance for brisk touring. Although I would probably like the V6 every once in a rare moment on an uphill passing maneuver in the mountains, I have not felt underpowered. The four runs amazingly smooth, and pulls hard right to 7000 rpm.

We’ve put some 15k miles on it in 11 months, and except for the feeble battery that had to be replaced for $69, it’s been perfect. We feel like we’ve picked a winner too.

Thanks Paul. It’s truly a great car. To be honest, I’ve never even driven the 4-cylinder TSX. That’s good to know from someone who has driven every extreme of car that it doesn’t feel underpowered. I’m sure the 4-cylinder even feels a bit more balanced, as that was the engine this car was designed around. The lighter engine combined with the wagon’s extra weight in the rear probably makes for more favorable weight distribution as well. Glad you like your TSX just as much as I like my mine!

For winter driving, 6-cylinder has the advantage of quicker heat. Even though the seats are heated, it feels better when warm flow can blow effortlessly in the cabin at a lower gear of blower with unnoticeable noise in a quicker manner.

4-cylinder has enough horsepower for most driving conditions maybe except in barbaric areas. ( When I had a try on one of those, in Van Dyke Ave with horrible traffic rushing mostly 15-20 over speed limit ) But sometimes in those areas, 280hp+280lb ft torque even struggles to merge with tires squeaks. ( I think the driving habit has something to do with no-fault insurance also )

Just a question, why would the V-6 produce heat faster? I would assume it would have a larger radiator and coolant capacity than the 4 cylinder.

A 4 cylinder TSX would have no problem keeping up with the traffic you describe. This is 2015, not 1975.

orangechallenger

Posted February 25, 2015 at 11:02 AM

a larger displacement ( thus, usually more cylinders ) generates heat faster. It struggles for a 2.0 Turbo Regal to deliver substantial warmth in a short time when it’s 20 below zero Fahrenheit. It’s the same for a 2.0 VW Passat CC, remaining freezing cold inside after driving 10 mins. Buick 3.8 V6, Chrysler 3.3 V6, or Mercedes 3.5 V6 will usually warm up fast enough inside after driving few blocks.

Not alone the 4 cylinder TSX ( Which my friend complains about having hard time keeping in pace with the traffic ) Even my Lincoln Mark VIII with 8 cylinders ( and good horsepower+torque ) isn’t fast enough in the merging. On I-75 near Waterford namely, there is a merge on the left, it’s too slow on ramp ( around 30mph with big curve ) but traffic is too aggressive ( 75-80mph in winter, 80-110mph in summer time ) combined with short lane, flooring the car is barely better than snails before the lane ends. In April through Nov, traffic around Ypsilanti on I-94 is rather deadly, it occurred when I was driving at 130mph and an older MN12 Ford Thunderbird passed me at a much higher speed. I was rather shocked so checking up my speed in GPS app ( installed to make up improperly working speedometer in ’93 New Yorker 5th Ave, turned out I was only a minimum slower than 130mph ) and an Oldsmobile Aurora zoomed by at the same time. No more driving on I-94 for me, ever, neither on I-696, or Detroit Metro section of I-75, I rather drive on gravel road around Grand River Avenue near Wixom. I prefer driving like in 1975 than 2015.

But in the remote countryside in another hand, it’s quite different. I feel quite okay cruising around 55-60 in my 6-cylinder Plymouth Volare on I-75, and there was a ’79-81 New Yorker Fifth Avenue slower than me. As for driving the Mark VIII, with cruise control at 80 all the way from Flint, I had to slow down up in north so not to drive faster than several police cars supposedly on duty with lights flashing merging from Grayling entrance. I had to use brake to slow down further as I realized I was approaching them at 75.

Ben Dinger

Posted February 25, 2015 at 3:15 PM

I’d like to know too. Our Honda with the 3.5 is one of the fastest heat producers, if not the fastest, I’ve ever owned.

Granted those seat heaters really are NICE, but that six – for whatever reason – blows heat quicker than any other vehicle I’ve owned.

Wolfgang

Posted February 25, 2015 at 7:51 PM

A four cylinder idling at 2000 rpm makes 4000 ignitions per minute. A six will do 6000 ignitions. I can see how that raises the temperature quicker.

Paul, that’s the biggest issue with the TSX’s, and all the newer Acura/Honda products for that matter – the batteries simply cannot handle all of the electronics and such. Honda should invest in higher powered, better quality batteries as it is the only dark spot in what is truly a great product.

Between you, Brendan, and my most recent purchase my fate is sealed. Either a TSX or Accord Sport/EX-L are in my near future I predict. All may remember my previous bad experience with Honda, my current one completely erases that.. it’s brilliant. Which is saying a lot considering the vehicle type!

Also glad to hear the real world MPG reports on the four. I really love that Honda 3.5 V6, but it also loves gas (albeit it does SO MUCH better than any other six I’ve owned). I keep hearing great reports of the Honda four, the salesperson at our local Honda dealer has joked with me twice that he’d be happy to take me out in the six speed Accord Sport whenever I want to.

I’ve got a service appointment Saturday.. and just told my wife “is the *avoiding COAL spoiler* paid off yet?” hah!

You were wise to stick with an Asian luxury car. You will not get nickel and dimed to death like you would with a German luxury car(which seems to turn into a lemon once the odometer hits 60,000) even with regular service.

I think all the issues with the “power plenum” were with the TL as the TL was just straight out ugly.

Nobody has to sell me on Acura cars. Like Paul stated, they make excellent road cars. I drove mine down the coast to SF over Christmas and the car drove beautifully, and the car averaged 9 L/100 km, very good considering I was above 130 km/h most of the time.

Want to buy a car you’ll still love in ten years? Buy an Acura.

By the, German cars don’t “nickle and dime” you. The hundred and thousand you.

True. I was well into middle age before I could afford such a car. To buy my first car, I slopped out barns, chopped wood and brought in hay. All these experiences were positive in the great scheme of life. I wouldn’t be doing what I want at a relatively young age had I not.

Nice looking car. I would have kept the Toyota for at least another 100k miles, but newer cars are nice. It would be interesting to see how Paul’s Acura and yours compare MPG wise. I would have gone for a 4 cyl stick but probably hard to find. You keep her looking like new. Some day I may replace the 300k 86 Jetta but it’s fun having the only VW in the world that’s reliable and cheap to keep running. Although at this point it’s more of a local driver, the truck is more comfortable for longer trips. You should be able to get many years of good service out of your car. Agree that 5 speed’s seem to be enough gears, both the Titan’s automatic and the car’s stick seem to have all the range needed for good pickup and low RPM freeway cruising.

If I had the space and didn’t need it for the trade-in, I would’ve liked to have kept the Highlander as an extra car, especially for the winter. It definitely had more life left in it, and I hope it found a good home.

Excellent write-up and an excellent choice for a car. I too am a big fan of the Honda 3.5 V6 now that I own one, that motor is silky smooth and just loves to rev. I have it in a much different platform, but still, talk about versatile.

Also these cars, I love the look of them. In 2-3 years when our most recent purchase is paid off I’m eyeing either a TSX or a Accord EX-L. I may have had a rocky past with Honda, but the dealers and our current purchase has already renewed my faith – just two weeks in. Plus, they just look absolutely stellar. As a fan of big ‘murican muscle, I still can’t get over how well the TSX and current gen Accord look.

And, I’ll be honest, as much as I love that 3.5 if I can find a TSX 4 cylinder with a manual or Accord Sport when the time comes I may be tempted…

The Honda 3.5L is a really a great engine – excellent power and rev happy. I will admit that the 4-cylinder would probably be adequate for my needs, but I was kind of tempted by the “if you can have more power, why not?” attitude.

I like the current generation Accord a lot too. I recently sat in one at the auto show, and was very impressed. The higher trim models are very luxurious and it amazes me all the standard safety features/driver aids that it offers. A buddy of mine just leased one last year after trading in his older Grand Cherokee and loves it.

Couldn’t agree more. Honestly I haven’t been car shopping in a long time and it blew me away this past month how well equipped for the money vehicles are if you avoid SUV’s and pickups (which, I’ll be honest, is what I’ve always looked at in the past). It was really eye-opening.

I’ve got a sales guy at the local dealer that knows how much I like them, I’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time for me. Right now I’m stuck between my practical side – who says go for the EarthDreams 4 cylinder – and my lunatic side – who really wants to see what the 3.5 is like in a sedan.

I agree on how standard equipment levels have been steadily increasing. When the lease recently ended on my wife’s Forte Koup, we momentarily considered moving up a class and looked at some Optima EXs. And it’s entirely possible to find one with panoramic sunroof, leather, navigation, infinity sound, heated and cooled seats, the works, for under $25K. Other manufacturers seem to offer similarly compelling packages within a couple grand in either direction. As long as you stay away from the highest trim models (an Optima Limited or Fusion Titanium for example can soar well over 30k) you can get a lot of kit for not a lot of money.

We ended up buying out the lease instead because it was the better financial option, but it was tempting just the same, and as you noted eye-opening (when I bought the Forte originally I had tunnel vision for a low-mid trim compact coupe and ignored most everything else.)

r henry

Posted February 26, 2015 at 9:43 PM

You have noticed that even base models are rarely “strippers” the way they were years ago. I attribute this to longer term auto financing. Today’s buyer may “only” pay an additional $30 monthly to get the upgraded stereo option package on a now common 7 year note. That same upgrade would have added $100 monthly or more to a 36 month note—making the upgrade unaffordable for many buyers. Bottom line: longer finance terms encourage car buyers to spend more. Manufacturers and dealers are happy to charge more as well!

I think an engine with a bigger displacement in a regular sedan/coupe/wagon/ or so naturally generates heat faster, even if the technology is spartan. My Plymouth Volare with slant six ( good for 90hp, comparable to a 2.3 Lima Ford Tempo ) blows the hot immediately in colder days ( But another reason is I don’t use it on snowy days, so it’s not that 20 below zero Fahrenheit ) and the ’36 Chevy with optional heater blows hot nearly as fast. It’s the same for nearly all cars with engine bigger than 3.0 I had a ride in during winter time. Probably it explains where the gasoline goes when idling.

On the other hand, the heat comes slowly from a 4-cylinder tempo even in an autumn rainy day. Not so fast on few other 4-cylinder cars I tried neither ( But 4-cylinder engine is usually smaller also )

The Honda J series V-6 is a real jewel of a motor, and debuted in the 1996. Lots of money went into that design, and it was designed to last 25 years in production. The long lifespan allowed a really great engine. It’s smooth, torquey at low speed and revs like mad. It has a real Jekyll and Hyde personality. It will plug along just fine at 1500 rpm saving fuel all the way, and then rocket to 6600 rpm. Keeping it on the high performance cam profile above 4500 rpm produces some really thrilling noises and loads of power. Added to that, they are nearly indestructible. They are even mounted vertically as outboard motors.

Nearly indestructible, unless you get one of the ones with VCM-2. Ask me how I know! Okay, not yet, but it will be coming. If someone finds a good way to disable VCM that doesn’t involve questionable disconnections under the hood, I’ll show you my happy face.

That said, it really is a fantastic motor. I’m appreciating the heck out of it and would really like to see it in something else. It really shows how versatile it is that they’ve put it in everything from sport coupes to pickup trucks, and it’s brilliant all around.

I always kind of liked the Ridgeline but never really considered it due to perceived lack of capability and perceived poor MPG. Now that I own one Honda V6, I see the appeal, big time.

Nice article Brendan. I initially didn’t like the 2nd gen car but a few years later the 1st gen looks plain and slab-sided, funny how that works. We don’t get the V6 or wagon here, I wouldn’t mind the latter but it seems the 4-cyl at 200lb lighter (which can’t all be attributed to the engine) is not such a bad option. Certainly the opportunities for >80mph driving over here are very limited if you value your license or wallet.

Brendan, Let me start by saying you have a very handsome car. You and your Mother sound like wise people thinking through such purchases. Having owned all different kinds of cars; domestic, German, Swiss and Japanese, I think you made a wise purchase. I am stuck on Lexus but if I did not have the relationship I have with my local dealership I would consider an Acura. With your love of cars and well thought out purchases you would make an interesting neighbor with great conversation. I wish we had a PM option on here. I hope you continue to enjoy your car and wish you safe travels.
PS, The seats look very comfortable. Lexus is just now figuring out what comfortable seats are. And keep up your maintenance practices and you will be tied of your car long before it is ever tired. Friends and neighbors always are ready for my car due to such practices when I am ready to sale.

Congrats on the TSX. Classy car and better looking than the TL, IMHO. You should have many years of driving pleasure.

I bought my first foreign car in 2001, a new Acura TL, after thirty years of decreasing satisfaction with Detroit iron, mostly Pontiacs. What a revelation. The first new car I ever owned with zero defects. Perfect from the start. Only problem was at 92,000 miles when the transmission went out, which was an issue in that vintage Acura. Well out of warranty, the dealer nonetheless replaced it FOR FREE! Compare this with the Pontiac dealer who said tough luck when the alternator went a few months after the warranty.

Subsequent MDX’s and a TL have been perfect. Figuring its Honda relatives would be similarly excellent, three Civics were bought for the kids as their first cars. All were totally reliable, even the 2004 Civic that went 145,000 trouble free miles driven by someone whose idea of maintenance was to put gas in it. (It often went 15,000 miles plus between oil changes).

Hi Brendan,
I really enjoyed reading your article! I was going to ask if you had ever driven a 1st-generation TSX, but I see you answered it by saying you’ve never driven a 4-cylinder TSX. If you get a chance, it would be great if you could drive both the 1st- and 2nd-generation 4-cylinder TSX, and give us your thoughts on them. I am a happy owner of a 1st-generation TSX, and briefly drove the 2nd-gen as a loaner car once or twice. For me, the older car has a much more sporty character, and feels smaller (and of course is a little smaller). I was surprised how different they felt, although the more luxurious character of the newer car was really nice. Now I’m wondering what the V6 model is like. I didn’t realize they were so rare. It’s really cool that you have such a rare model, that you’re obviously pampering and will keep a long time. Enjoy it!

I hope to be able to drive a 1st-generation and 2nd-gen 4-cylinder to compare some day. Maybe next time I’m at an Acura dealer, they’d let me test drive some pre-owned ones. I actually plan to do a similar comparison test with the new TLX, as I’d like to feel the differences between the 4-cylinder and V6 with SH-AWD. Different reviews seem to prefer one over the other (but none the V6 FWD).

I don’t know why they didn’t add a 4-cylinder SH-AWD instead, maybe the torque can’t handle it. I really like the TLX from sitting in it at the auto show, especially with those espresso leather seats, and it’s a likely successor down the line some day. But for now, I love my car.

Great write up Brendan, and great choice – your car is beautiful, reliable and fun to drive. Homerun.

Acura has made some ‘classics’ over the years…the original Integra, 2nd gen Legend, NSX, and so on. The 3rd gen TL had a very simply beautiful design, and remains hot on the used market. The new RL, like the last one, has a decent market in Silicon Valley and Austin, which tells me a lot about who fancies the model.

Acura screwed up big time with the “Power Plenum” grille (the above TL is HIDEOUS), but thankfully and wisely have toned it down.

These days I wouldn’t mind a CSX or RDX as long as they had that strong Honda 4 cyl available. Save the V6 for you hooligans…